Drew Blackwell, from Mississippi, fell in love with the guitar at the age of 14. Bucking the influence of contemporary radio, he was drawn to such artists as Willie King, and his passion for old-school blues blossomed from there.

Courtney Blackwell was 3 years old when she began training on the cello and over the years she learned the stringed instrument’s subtle dynamics. When she met Drew, the two flourished artistically and emotionally. Eventually, Honeyboy & Boots was born, and the two were married.

This duo established a sound that is a mix of blues-influenced guitar and grooving cello. They captured their innovative sound on their albums “Mississippi Duo” and “Waiting for a Song.” Now Honeyboy & Boots are working on a new album in their currrent hometown of Nashville. According to their website, this upcoming release will feature “collaborations with talented Nashville producers, engineers and artists.” Fans of Americana will be taken with this band’s eclectic take on classic sounds and undeniable artistic chemistry.

About The Author

With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver’s license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early ‘90s.
He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go’s and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing.
While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation’s Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama’s graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine’s managing editor/senior writer.
His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade.
As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F’n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children.
Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni’s experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile’s enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.